Central African Republic
Practice Relating to Rule 3. Definition of Combatants
The Central African Republic’s Instructor’s Manual (1999) states in Volume 1 (Basic and team leader instruction): “Members of the armed forces (other than medical and religious personnel) are combatants. They are identified by their uniforms or by a recognizable, fixed distinctive sign or, at least, by the fact of carrying arms openly (members of armed forces, militias).”
The manual also states that the category “Prisoners of War” refers to “Any combatant captured by the enemy.”
In Volume 2 (Instruction for group and patrol leaders), the manual states: “Wounded, sick or shipwrecked captured combatants are prisoners of war”.
The manual also states: “Captured combatants (whether they have surrendered or not) are prisoners of war and may not be attacked. Prisoner-of-war status is granted from the moment of capture and ends with release.”
The Central African Republic’s Disciplinary Regulations (2009) states:
In accordance with the international conventions signed or approved by the Central African Government, it is stipulated that during combat servicemen must:
- consider members of the Armed Forces or of volunteer militias, including organized resistance [movements], as “combatants” as long as these formations have a designated commander, that its members display a distinctive sign, carry arms openly and respect the laws and customs of war.